asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, with a view to securing greater economy and control over expenditure in the Department for Royal Engineer services, he will confer greater powers on the Army Audit Branch to enable those officers to ascertain for themselves that money voted is expended for the purpose for which it was intended by Parliament, and that value was received either in the purchase of stores and materials or in payment of wages; could he have all check-book workmen's wages paid by postal order or by a cashier from the Audit Branch in a similar way to that in force in the Director of Works Department to the Admiralty; or, if this could not be done at all stations, will it be given a trial in the Aldershot Command?

If the hon. Member has any evidence of the existence in the Department referred to of irregularities such as his question indicates, I shall be glad if he will communicate further with me. In the absence of any such evidence, I see no sufficient reason for taking the steps suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state why it is specially stipulated in the tender forms sent to contractors for the supply of forage for troop horses that oats grown in South Africa and South America may not be supplied?

South American and South African oats are excluded from Army contracts in this country because the feeding properties of such oats at present obtainable are not considered to be of equal value to those of oats grown an the United Kingdom, Russia, or North America, and are not fully up to the quality stipulated for in the contract specification. Should, however, the quality of the oats in question improve in the future, the removal of the restriction will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mrs. Mary Ennis, the widow of a soldier who served in the Army for 21 years, and the mother of three sons who all were in active service in the Army, and of whom the eldest died after 15 years' service in the Army, the second is at present serving in India, and the third, owing to ill-health brought on by service, has been discharged on a pension of 6d. a day, was herself employed in the military laundry, Dublin, for 13 years and seven months, but on her retirement from that position owing to ill-health was declared to be ineligible for a compassionate gratuity because she had not completed a total period of employment for 15 years; and whether, having regard to her ill-health and straitened circumstances and the services of her husband and sons in the Army, any steps will be taken by way of pension or compassionate allowance for the relief of her necessities?

The hon. and learned Member is evidently unaware that Mrs. Mary Ennis has already had grants from the Army Compassionate Fund of £3 in 1907, £3 in 1908, and £5 in 1909. She is not eligible for any pension or gratuity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a fee is required from a recruit joining any London Territorial corps; whether the recruit has to retire if the fee is not paid; and, if a fee is charged, will he state his reasons for allowing it?

In certain London Territorial units the members pay entrance fees and subscriptions, which are devoted to the maintenance of the extra amenities provided by the corps. A recruit is not liable to discharge for non-payment of such sums, but he would be excluded from the enjoyment of the extra amenities. These units have enjoyed these amenities for many years, and there do not appear to be any sound grounds for depriving them of such enjoyment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of the Government to place the two provinces of Northern and Southern Nigeria under one governorship?

The question has been raised, but is not immediately urgent, and I am therefore not at present in a position to state the views of His Majesty's Government upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of recruits of His Majesty's forces who-presented themselves for enrolment during the past 12 months, and who were accepted as physically fit to serve, and giving the numbers for each town over 100,000 population?

submitted the following tables, showing the number of men who presented themselves for enlistment into His Majesty's forces during the period from 1st July, 1908, to 30th June, 1909, and who were accepted as physically fit to serve, giving the numbers for each town over 100,000 population:—Total number of men inspected, 59,686.Total number of men found fit to serve, 43,134.

Towns over 100,000 Population.	No. of Men inspected.	No. of men found fit to serve.
London	14,579	9,860
Birkenhead	41	30
Birmingham	1,758	1,175
Blackburn	398	311
Bradford	290	207
Brighton	397	307
Bristol	1,182	963
Burnley	216	123
Cardiff	714	564
Derby	560	347
Halifax	353	228
Hull	210	173
Leeds	538	360
Leicester	689	444
Liverpool	1,239	684
Manchester and Salford	958	637
Middlesbrough	127	85
Glasgow	1,933	1,304
Newcastle-on-Tyne and Gateshead	802	564
Norwich	514	333
Nottingham	511	416
Plymouth & Devonport	298	262
Portsmouth	513	441
Preston	620	467
Sheffield	488	384
Southampton	262	203
Sunderland and South Shields	874	630
Stockport	135	92
Wolverhampton	132	110
Belfast	1,141	662
Dublin	1,287	985
Aberdeen	241	201
Dundee	346	287
Edinburgh	1,095	788

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a statement that, subsequently to an interview at which the European Consuls protested against the Sultan of Morocco's cruel treatment of the followers of the Moorish pretender, Mulai Hafid, caused E1 Roghi to be put to death by torture; and whether, if this statement is confirmed, he will advise His Majesty to withdraw the British representative from Fez, and will approach the Governments represented at the Algeciras Conference with a view to concerted action against the present Sultan of Morocco?

The hon. Member is referred to the reply to a similar question which I have made to-day to the hon. Member for South Donegal.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Shanghai Taotai, under pressure from the Japanese Government, has issued a proclamation threatening the ringleaders of the anti-Japanese boycott with punishment; and, if so, whether he will state what steps he has taken to bring-to an end the anti-British boycott on the Yangtse which was initiated by the Kiukiang native chamber of commerce and other chambers issuing warnings against the use of British steamers?

I have no information in regard to the first part of the question. In regard to the second part, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member for North Westmeath, no information has been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking, and a report will be called for in due course. There is no foundation, however, for an assumption that British trade in such enrcumstances suffers more than Japanese owing to want of support; it has suffered less from boycott in recent years than either American or Japanese trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any foreign Power has obtained rights or concessions from Portugal in the island of Madeira?

No, Sir; not so far as His Majesty's Government are aware.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information respecting a massacre of Jews at Kieff last week; and whether he can give any particulars?

I have received no information on the subject, and the report referred to has been contradicted in the Press.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that muscular paralysis of the arm has become prevalent in the female branch of the telegraph service by reason of the long hours of duty imposed, especially in big offices; whether he is aware that hysteria, nervous breakdown, and other symptoms follow; and whether an alternation of duties will be devised whereby these maladies could be obviated and greatly prevented?

I shall be glad if the hon. Member would furnish me with particulars of any case of paralysis of which he has cognisance, and I will at once inquire into it. I am not aware of any prevalence of the ailments referred to in the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is now an official crime, for which a servant of the General Post Office can be visited with dismissal or suspension, to lay before him any complaint as to overwork, underpay, or matters affecting their health in the Service; and whether any Member of this House is to be debarred from the exercise of an old privilege in these cases, that of championing the cases of persons so aggrieved, by reason of the fact that if they do so the victim will be at once visited with dismissal or so harassed by officials as to render their position untenable?

The answer to the first part of the question is an emphatic negative. I am always willing to consider any complaint or alleged grievance, and the fact of making a representation locally, or to headquarters, or to myself personally, in no way prejudices the officer who makes it. As regards the second part of the question, the rule of the, Service is that until an appeal on any matter has been made to the Postmaster-General and been decided by him, an officer is strictly forbidden to approach him through a Member of Parliament or other person in regard to it; and should an irregular application be received, the officer on whose behalf it is made will be liable to censure or punishment. This regulation is well known in the Service, and I am confident that Members approve of it. It is obviously in their interest, as well as in that of the Post Office Service.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the vacancies in the newly created grade of inspectors, second class, in the engineer-in-chief's department have been filled by unestablished men, in many cases by youths with only a few years' service; will he state why the established linesmen and mechanics, a number of whom possess technical knowledge and practical experience, have been passed over; and whether, in view of the statement made to a deputation by the engineer-in-chief that this grade was an avenue whereby the linesmen and mechanics could secure promotion to the position of engineer, he will make inquiries for the purpose of ascertaining why these men were not given the opportunity of securing this promotion?

The vacancies referred to have been filled as stated. It was never the intention to promote linesmen and mechanics to the position of inspector, second class, and I am not aware that the engineer-in-chief made such a statement as is described. To first-class inspectorships linesmen only are appointed in normal circumstances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there has recently been a great increase in split duties in the Edinburgh office; and whether, in view of the Select Committee's recommendations that these duties should be restricted as far as possible, he will make inquiry as to the reason for the increase in the number of these duties at Edinburgh?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the telegraph office at Edinburgh, where it was recently found necessary to increase the number of split duties from 19 to 24 in order to adjust the staff to the requirements of the work, and to obviate the performance of overtime. Advantage will be taken of any opportunity which may offer for effecting a reduction.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the British post office at Tientsin is to be closed; and, if so, whether the effect upon British trade in Northern China has been duly considered?

I am glad to say that arrangements have now been made for maintaining the British Post Office at Tientsin for the present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the cost of the harbour at Pwllheli, North Wales, is to be paid by the Government; how much has been paid; how much more is expected to be needed to complete the work; and what size of vessels it is intended to accommodate in the harbour?

The total estimated cost of the harbour works at Pwllheli was £74,625, and towards this the Government promised a grant of one-third, or £24,875, together with an addition of £5,000 due to ecrtain special circumstances. The total grant of £29,875 is subject to a reduction in certain eventualities. The sum which has been actually paid to the corporation is £25,000, leaving £4,875 still payable. The grant is paid in instalments as the work proceeds, the final instalment being made only when the work is complete. It is contemplated under the scheme that there will be 6ft. of water in the entrance channel at low water and 15ft. to 16ft. at high water of ordinary spring tides, and that this will meet the needs of all vessels likely to desire shelter at Pwllheli.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the contracts for the 20 torpedo destroyers in this year's Naval Estimates have been placed; if so, will he state the names of the contracting firms and the number of vessels allotted to each, respectively; and at what dates the vessels are to be delivered to the Admiralty?

Orders for these vessels have been provisionally placed as follows:—

	Vessels.
Messrs. Thornycroft	4
Messrs. Hawthorn, Leslie, and Co.	3
Messrs. J. S. White	3
Messrs. J. Brown	3
The Fairfield Company	3
Messrs. Denny Brothers	2
Messrs. Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson	1
Messrs. Inglis	1

The dates for delivery are not finally settled.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what will be the estimated total cost of the refit of the destroyer H.M.S. "Violet"?

The approximate total cost of the recent refit of H.M.S. "Violet" was £7,055.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many battleships, armoured cruisers, and other cruisers respectively, have been ordered for sale since 1st January, 1902; how many of each class not included in the above figures have been set aside as special service vessels with skeleton crews on board or are about to be so set aside; and whether it is intended to give the six battleships of the "Ocean" class only skeleton crews?

With regard to the first part of this question, the following numbers of battleships, armoured cruisers, and other cruisers respectively have been ordered for sale since 1st January, 1902, namely:—

Battleships	…	…	19
Armoured cruisers	…	…	10
Other cruisers	…	…	45
Total	…	…	74

As regards the rest of the question, 13 battleships, including three of the "Ocean" class, no armoured cruisers, 16 other cruisers are at present in commission with reduced nucleus crews. One battleship of the "Ocean" class is also in commission with a special reduced complement as a gunnery tender.

asked the Prime Minister when the complete Report and evidence of the Welsh Church Commission will be published?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I understand that the draft Report is under discussion, but that no definite date for its completion can yet be given.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, four years ago, a grant of £100 was made to Messrs. Joseph Brett and James Brett for the building of a road on the Cloonball farm, Mayo Abbey electoral division, Claremorris union, county Mayo; that after this lapse of time only one-half of the road is yet made; and that interest has been charged from the first on this sum by the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, will he say when the Commissioners purpose finishing this work?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the holdings in question were vested in the tenants on 1st August, 1907, when the sum sanctioned for improvements had all been expended, and that interest on the amount sanctioned and expended was only charged as from that date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. M. Shiel, of Lissaniska, Loughrea, took out a contract under the Loughrea District Council, which was finally passed by the council on 21st October, 1908, to construct a new road for the accommodation of the public in the district of Barratoor, Ballinakill, Loughrea, and he was directed by the county surveyor not to proceed with the work until such time as the Board of Works has issued a loan to the county council for the purpose; and, having regard to the need of constructing the road immediately, whether he will communicate with the Board of Works and ask for an explanation as to why the loan has not been made before this?

I am informed by the Board of Works that they are awaiting a reply from the county council to their request, made on 31st August last, to be furnished with the necessary legal proof that the county council had approved of the expenditure in question.

asked the Chief Secretary how many examiners were employed by the Intermediate Education Board of Ireland for the purpose of last year's examination, and what was the entire amount of money spent on their remuneration; how many of these examiners were persons residing outside of Ireland, and what proportion of the examiners' fees went to such persons; will he give the like particulars in regard to the French examiners especially; whether any of the English Education Boards are in the habit of employing examiners living outside of England to the like extent that the Irish Intermediate Board employs those living-out of Ireland; whether he will arrange to have the entire intermediate examinations conducted by men and women living in Ireland; and whether, seeing that the Intermediate Board was established for the purpose of encouraging education in Ireland, he will use his influence to see that the incentive to qualify in the higher educational subjects, which the knowledge that some of them would ultimately get intermediate examinerships would be to many young Irish men and women, will be used as effectively as possible?

The Commissioners of Intermediate Education inform me that 96 examiners were employed by them for the purpose of the examinations held in June, 1908, and that 14 of these were resident out of Ireland. There were 13 examiners in French, of whom seven were resident out of Ireland. The total remuneration paid to all examiners was £6,368 1s. 6d., of which £946 11s., or 14.86 per cent., was paid to those resident out of Ireland. The total remuneration of the examiners in French was £944 10s., including £527 6s., or 55.82 per cent., paid to those resident out of Ireland. The selection of examiners is a matter for the Commissioners, and I am not in a position to say how their practice compares with that of English educational authorities as regards the point referred to in the question.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that the people of Inishkea Island, county Mayo, are very much annoyed by the whaling station on the island, though at first they were in favour of it; but, from a trial of it and the experience of the smells caused by it and the injury to lobster and other fisheries, they are now threatening to prevent by force the landing of whales on their island; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The whaling station at Inishkea has been inspected on various occasions by officers of the Department. The islanders have at all times, and during a recent visit of the Department's inspector, expressed themselves as much pleased at the establishment of a whaling station on the Island. During the summer season the islanders were paid nearly £900 in wages for work done at the station; the rate of payment was in most cases £1 per week. The Department are also aware that this year's lobster fishing has been one of the best for many years, some of the islanders having made over £40 per man at this class of fishing. The Department have not heard of any such threats as those referred to in the question.

asked the Vice-President of the Departure of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that the whaling station on Inishkea Island, off the Mayo coast, causes inconvenience to persons living on the mainland some miles away owing to the smell of the decaying whales, and has the Department considered the nuisance which will be caused if a whale fishery is licensed at Elly Point, on a land-locked bay, close to the residences of a number of people; is he aware that the fishing industry in Blacksod Bay is considerable and increasing, and that the establishment of whaling stations has always proved destructive of all other fisheries in Norway and elsewhere, so much so, that whaling stations have been made illegal in Norway; and will he reconsider the question of sanctioning whaling at Elly Point, in view of the unpopularity of the business and the nuisance and injury that it will cause to fishermen and others?

The Department are not aware that inconvenience is caused to persons on the mainland by any offensive smell from the whaling station. The question of the possibility of any nuisance being caused to the public by the establishment of a whaling station in the neighbourhood of Ardelly Point was considered at a public inquiry held at Belmullet in July last. The Department are not aware that fishing in Blacksod Bay has been increasing, but, notwithstanding the fact that this is the second season during which whaling has been carried on off the coast of Erris, it has been a remarkably good year for sea-fishing in the district. There were more cod on the coast than for the 12 preceding years, and the fishing for salmon off the coast in question was the best since this industry was started. There has also been abundance of mackerel. The Department have made investigations into the effect of whaling stations in other countries, and they are satisfied that, when the whaling industry is properly carried on, it is not injurious to any other class of fishing. Whaling stations have been made illegal in certain parts of Norway, but the Department are satisfied from the careful inquiries that they have made that certain temporary fluctuations-in the fish supply of that region cannot be connected with the operation of the whaling stations. The Department, having issued a licence for a whaling station at Ardelly Point, after careful consideration of all the circumstances, including the monetary advantages to the neighbourhood from the industry, are not prepared to reopen the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether any new regulations are contemplated to control costermongers and street sellers in the City of London; if so, what the regulations are; and whether provision will be made to safeguard the interests of those people who gain their livelihood in this way?

I understand that such regulations under Section (2) of the City of London (Street Traffic) Act of this Session are contemplated, but have not yet been framed. I have no doubt that in making them the City authorities will consider the interests of all parties concerned. The regulations have to receive the Secretary of State's approval before they come into force.